Indigenous Peoples Cultural Center Introduction
The indigenous population in Taiwan is predominantly found in Hualien and Taitung, while Taoyuan City has the largest indigenous population in the western part of Taiwan, encompassing 16 tribes. The Taoyuan City Indigenous Cultural Center officially opened in July 2004, becoming a cultural hub for the city and is now listed as one of the Taoyuan City Story Museum group. The center aims to establish a cultural landmark for indigenous peoples, which is evident from the architectural design of the center and the surrounding plaza displaying various indigenous styles; the totem pillars represent tribal spirits with beautiful lines, the Wanghai Tower serves as a lookout to protect tribal borders from intruders, and the Rainbow Avenue symbolizes unity among the various tribes, with carvings depicting the unique totems of Taiwan's tribal cultures, while the base incorporates the colors of tribal clothing combined with the distinct topography of Taiwan, conveying a message of tribal integration. The plaza features information boards introducing each tribe, along with a map showing the distribution of indigenous peoples throughout Taiwan, providing visitors with an initial understanding of indigenous culture. The cultural center also serves as a museum, displaying numerous traditional artifacts such as crafts, weaving tools, indigenous clothing, and hunting knives. The exhibition hall presents significant historical events and traditional festival introductions of various tribes, allowing visitors to understand indigenous history through detailed text explanations and old photographs. The center periodically hosts art exhibitions, offering a platform for indigenous artists to showcase their tribal culture. In addition to static displays, visitors can participate closely in guided tours and DIY experiences at the workshops of resident artists. From Friday to Sunday, there are performances by resident dance troupes featuring indigenous dances, providing a lively experience of indigenous song and dance. Annual seasonal rituals are also held at this location.
